Finger-ring guard



Nov. 23, 1965 v. DE SANTO 3,218,826

FINGER-RING GUARD Filed April 10, less INVENTOR. VINCENT DE SANTO BY W Q WV ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,218,826 FINGER-RING GUARD Vincent De Santo, Fort Lee, NJ. (423 73rd St., North Bergen, NJ.) Filed Apr. 10, 1963, Ser. No. 272,127 2 Claims. (Cl. 6315.6)

This invention relates to finger-ring guards, and more particularly to a finger-ring guard that reduces the size of the finger-ring after the ring is slipped onto the finger.

Invariably, the inside diameter of a finger-ring needs to be made smaller. The need may arise by either the wearers losing weight or it may arise by the wearer continuously wearing the ring over a prolonged period of time. Usually the inner node of the annular-y or ringfinger will become much smaller than the inside diameter of the ring. The reduction of the size of the inner node of the ring-finger presents a problem since with the reduction of the inner finger node the inner finger knuckle usually remains the same or even increases in size. If the ring is made smaller there would be difliculty in slipping it over the inner finger knuckle into the inner finger node.

In any event, the wearing of a finger-ring which has an inside diameter larger than the diameter of the finger, will present two important problems: First the ring will twist about the finger and thus be displayed in an unsightly manner and second the ring may become so loose that it may slip off the finger and become lost. Therefore, some device had to be provided whereby it may be easily attached to the ring to reduce the rings size. Other means of reducing the size of the ring have been attempted but were unsatisfactory because they were either too expensive or once they reduced the size of the ring they could not change it size without damaging the ring itself.

This invention utilizes a ring-guard that can be readily attached to the ring to provide for a positive lock onto the finger. In addition this invention provides for the removal of the guard and the utilization of the ring in its initial structure. It also provides for the attachment of a different size guard to change the diameter of the ring to the diameter desired.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a finger-ring guard particularly suitable for reducing the inside diameter of the ring without cutting or destroying the initial ring structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fingerring guard to be attached to a mans or a womans ring which has the combination of a hinge to be secured on :one side of the ring and a concave loop spring extending diametrically across the ring to be attached to a catch to thereby provide a positive spring that provides a snug and comfortable fit when the ring is worn.

Additional objects and features of the invention will be self evident as the description of the physical embodiments selected for illustration progresses. In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, similar characters of reference have been applied to corresponding parts throughout the several views which make up the drawing.

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view of the ring and fingerring guard before it is assembled onto the ring;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the device as shown in FIGURE 1 but with the parts fully assembled in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a front view of the device showing the open and the closed position of the device;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary side view of the device, in a closed position as shown in solid lines in FIGURE 3;

3,218,826 Patented Nov. 23, 1965 FIGURE 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side view of the other side of the device, opposite to that shown in FIGURE 4; and

FIGURE 7 is a section taken on line 77 of FIG- URE 6.

Referring to the drawing in detail FIGURE 1 shows a womans finger-ring 10 and a finger-ring guard before it is assembled. The finger-ring guard comprises a spring means such as an elongated concave looped spring 12, a sleeve'hinge 14, and a retaining means such as a catch 16. The spring 12 is rotatably connected to the sleeve hinge 14 as hereinafter more fully described. It should be understood that even though a womans finger-ring is shown the finger-ring guard may be equally attached to a mans ring but only one need be shown and described.

The looped spring 12 is generally U-shaped having a transversally extending seat 18, with a pair of parallel legs 20 extending perpendicularly to the seat and having end portions 22 inwardly directed to be pivot'ally secured within the sleeve hinge 14. The legs 20 of the spring 12 are concaved in order that they will fit more comfortably around the finger of the wearer.

Referring to the other figures of the drawing, it can be seen that the finger-ring guard is secured such as by soldering to the outside diameter of the ring. The sleeve hinge 14, as shown at 24 in FIGURE 5, is soldered at one side and the catch 16 is soldered diametrically opposite on the other side of the ring. The looped spring 12 may thereby pivot about the sleeve hinge 14 from its open position, as shown in FIGURE 2 and in dotted lines as shown in FIGURE 3, saddle the portion of the ring opposite to the diamond and extend to a closed or locked position as shown in solid lines in FIGURE 3 and also in FIGURES 4 to 7. It should be noted that the catch may be bent around the body of the ring in a plane transversally to the plane of the ring to present a transverse fiat portion 26 for the purpose of attaching and locking the seat 18 of the spring 12. As stated before, the concave configuration of the spring can then follow the shape of the finger to provide snug and comfortable fit.

To provide for a dilferent size guard the hinge with the spring may be removed from the ring and a new size spring is attached as hereinbefore described.

In operation, assuming the proper size guard is attached onto the ring, a person inserts the ring and guard combination with the spring in an open position as shown in FIGURE 2 and in dotted lines in FIGURE 3. The diamond of the ring is adjusted to face outwardly, the spring 12 is then rotated about its sleeve hinge 14 with the use of the other hand and the seat 18 of the spring 12 snapped onto the flat portion 26 of the catch 16, to clamp the ring in a snug position onto the wearers finger.

To remove the ring from the finger, the person reverses the operation by inserting a fingernail between the seat 18 of the spring 12 and the flat portion 26 of the catch 16 and removing the spring off the catch. The ring is thereby loose on the finger and can be easily removed.

Therefore, it can be understood from the description that there is provided an improved quick opening fingerring guard that can be easily attached to a finger ring to reduce the ring size. It can also be conveniently and thoroughly cleaned since there are no hidden crevices in which dirt may accumulate. The ring and guard combination provides for comfort and better appearance with improved safety in protecting the wearer from losing his ring.

It is also apparent from the description that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A removable finger-ring guard in combination with a solid continuous toroidal finger-ring for reducing the inside circumference of the ring comprising a sleeve hinge removably soldered onto the-outside circumference of the finger-ring on one side thereof, a U-shaped concave spring means having inwardly directed end portions pivotally connected to said sleeve hinge and having a looped portion extending to the other side of the ring, and a catch means removably soldered on the outside circumference of the finger-ring on the other side thereof extending radially outwardly from the outer circumference of said finger-ring for receiving said looped portion partially within the inside circumference of the ring and retaining it in a clamped position for reducing the inside circumference of said ring.

2. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that said spring further comprises a seat portion extending transversally of said ring, a pair of legs extending perpendicularly to said seat and inwardly saddling said ring when said spring is in a closed position, and a pair of end portions each extending perpendicularly and inwardly of each leg pivotal within said sleeve hinge to open and close said spring onto said catch.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 393,239 11/1888 Johnstone 631 395,148 12/1888 Johnstone 637 X 397,833 2/1889 Colby et al. 6311 512,839 l/1894 Oppenheimer 63-l5.6 1,341,218 5/1920 Levin 63--15.6 1,726,773 9/ 1929 Speidel 6311 1,822,392 9/1931 Esterman et al 63--15.4 3,044,217 7/1962 Berry 24249 X FOREIGN PATENTS 6,418 1901 Great Britain. 884,945 12/ 1961 Great Britain RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. A REMOVABLE FINGER-RING GUARD IN COMBINATION WITH A SOLID CONTINUOUS TOROIDAL FINGER-RING FOR REDUCING THE INSIDE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE RING COMPRISING A SLEEVE HINGE REMOVABLY SOLDERED ONTO THE OUTSIDE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE FINER-RING ON ONE SIDE THEREOF, A U-SHAPED CONCAVE SPRING MEANS HAVING INWARDLY DIRECTED END PORTIONS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID SLEEVE HINGE AND HAVING A LOOPED PORTION EXTENDING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RING, AND A CATCH MEANS REMOVABLY SOLDERED ON THE OUTSIDE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE FINGER-RING ON THE OTHER SIDE THEREOF EXTENDING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM THE OUTER CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID FINGER-RING FOR RECEIVING SAID LOOPED PORTION PARTIALLY WITHIN THE INSIDE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE RING AND RETAINING IT IN A CLAMPED POSITION FOR REDUCING THE INSIDE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID RING. 